Systems and Methods for Self-Directed Patient Fluid Management

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods are disclosed that provide for regular, periodic or continuous monitoring of fluid volume based on direct measurement of an inferior vena cava (IVC) physical dimension using a wireless measurement sensor implanted in the IVC. By basing diagnostic decisions and treatments on changes in an IVC physical dimension, information on patient fluid state is available across the entire euvolemic range of fluid states, thus providing earlier warning of hypervolemia or hypovolemia and enabling the modulation of patient treatments to permit more stable long-term fluid management.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/271,798, filed Feb. 9, 2019, entitled “Systems and Methods forPatient Fluid Management”, which application was a continuation ofPCT/US017/046204, filed Aug. 10, 2017, entitled “Systems and Methods forPatient Fluid Management”, which PCT application claims the benefit ofpriority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/373,436,filed Aug. 11, 2016, and titled “Methods and Systems For Patient FluidManagement”, this PCT application also claims the benefit of priority ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/427,631, filed Nov. 29,2016, and titled “Wireless Vascular Monitoring Implants, Systems,Methods, and Software”, and also claims the benefit of priority of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/534,329, filed Jul. 19, 2017, andtitled “Wireless Vascular Monitoring Implants, Systems and Methods”.Each of these applications is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems and methods forself-directed patient fluid management, for example in connection withheart failure or renal failure conditions, as well as other diseasestates requiring careful management of patient fluid balance.

BACKGROUND

A significant challenge in the treatment of acute heart failure patientsis the management of the patient fluid volume. Similar challenges arealso presented in the treatment of renal failure patients, and, in fact,studies have shown a direct correlation, and potentially causalrelationship, between heart and renal failure conditions with respect topatient fluid management [e.g., Silverberg, et al., The associationbetween congestive heart failure and chronic renal disease, Curr. Opin.Nephrol. Hypertens. (2004) 13:163-170]. Acute heart or renal failure canlead to peripheral and pulmonary edema if not properly treated, but tooaggressive of a treatment can lead to a hypovolemic state in which thepatient lacks sufficient fluid volume. Treatments may include dialysis,ultrafiltration, diuretics and other drug administration. For longerterm patients, fluid and dietary intake also may be monitored andmodulated. Traditionally, diagnostic techniques used in monitoring fluidstatus were based on various externally observable symptoms (e.g.,jugular vein distention, edema, patient weight change). Also, centralvenous catheterization (CVC) to monitor central venous pressure (CVP)has been used as a fluid status indicator. However, there are a numberof serious risks associated with CVC, such as infection and thrombosis,and reliance on externally observable or measurable symptoms presents anobvious drawback in that the observable response to a therapy is oftensignificantly delayed relative to acute changes in physiological status.

Monitoring fluid status can also be used as a predictor for onset ofacute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), which is a significant factordriving rehospitalization of heart failure patients. There is potentialto significantly reduce hospitalizations if there is a sufficientlyearly signal of increasing patient fluid volume. However, drawbacks oftraditional diagnostic tools as mentioned above make such toolsrelatively ineffective as early predictors of ADHF.

In an attempt to overcome risks and drawbacks associated with moretraditional diagnostic techniques, different types of diagnostic devicesor techniques have been developed to measure central venous pressure(CVP) [e.g., Shuros, et al., Coronary Vein Hemodynamic Sensor, US20090/01497666, Jun. 11, 2009] or pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) [e.g.,Abraham, et al., Wireless pulmonary artery haemodynamic monitoring inchronic heart failure: a randomized controlled trial, Lancet (2011)377:658-66]. Also, research using external ultrasound observation of theInferior Vena Cava (IVC) has led to a general understanding of acorrelation between the IVC volume and patient health in terms of properfluid balance [e.g., Feissel et al., The respiratory variation ininferior vena cava diameter as a guide to fluid therapy, Intensive CareMed (2004) 30:1834-1837]. Based on this understanding, externalultrasound systems are now sometimes used in emergency treatmentsituations to provide the attending physicians with information onpatient fluid state. In addition, more recent techniques have beenproposed in which devices indirectly measure vessel pressure or volumebased on changes in impedance in response to an applied current withinthe vessel.

While devices and techniques now available may offer advantages overmore traditional techniques based on observation of externally visiblesymptoms, each has its own disadvantages that limit effectiveness as adiagnostic tool to support more aggressive therapies. Many newermonitoring devices or techniques either do not provide sufficientlyaccurate data to allow early warning of changes in patient stability ordo not provide guidance with respect to a particular type ofintervention [see, e.g., Marik, et al., Does Central Venous PressurePredict Fluid Responsiveness? *: A Systematic Review of the Literatureand the Tale of Seven Mares, Chest (2008) 134(1):172-178]. Examplesinclude that impedance-based devices have not shown sufficientsensitivity and PAP measurements do not provide a warning ofhypovolemia. External measurement of IVC dimensions with externalultrasound systems is heavily reliant on proper and consistentpositioning of the patient and the imaging device, both initially andover the period of monitoring, and may not always provide accurateprediction of fluid state [e.g., Blehar, et al, Inferior vena cavadisplacement during respirophasic ultrasound imaging, CriticalUltrasound Journal (2012) 4:18]. It is also impractical for use as alonger term diagnostic tool for regular (e.g. daily) monitoring ofpatients who are not hospitalized.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one implementation, the present disclosure is directed to a patientself-care management system, which includes a patient monitoring systemthat emits a signal containing data representing a status of a monitoredmedical condition of the patient, the patient monitoring systemcomprising a patient-implanted wireless sensor configured to measure aphysiological parameter associated with the monitored medical conditionas an input to the data; and a processing system configured to receivethe data representing the status of the monitored medical condition andpatient-specific information, wherein the processing system—(a) accesses(i) at least one of a diagnostic or treatment algorithm related to themonitored medical condition, and (ii) at least one threshold or limitwith respect to the monitored medical condition; (b) generatespatient-directed notifications using the diagnostic or treatmentalgorithm, the patient-directed notifications including instructions forpatient self-care actions responsive to the status of the monitoredmedical condition of the patient; (c) provides the patient-directednotifications for receipt by the patient through a patient personaldevice user interface; (d) generates care-provider-directednotifications when the threshold or limit with respect to the monitoredmedical condition is determined to be exceeded or met; and (e) transmitsthe care-provider-directed notifications for receipt by a care providerthrough a care provider device.

In another implementation, the present disclosure is directed to apatient self-care method, which includes receiving periodic readingsfrom a patient monitoring system including a patient implanted wirelesssensor indicating status of a monitored medical condition of thepatient, wherein the patient-implanted sensor is configured to measure aphysiological parameter associated with the monitored medical conditionas an input to the periodic readings; receiving patient-specificinformation; determining based on the received readings andpatient-specific information, using a stored diagnostic or treatmentalgorithm, whether the monitored medical condition falls within oroutside of a normal range; generating a notification to the patientindicating normal range when the received readings are determined tofall within the normal range; generating a notification to the patientincluding instructions for self-care actions when the received readingsare determined to fall outside of the normal range; and generating anotification to a care provider when the received readings aredetermined to exceed pre-set thresholds or limits.

In yet another implementation, the present disclosure is directed to apatient self-care method, which includes receiving periodic readingsfrom a patient monitoring system including a patient-implanted wirelesssensor indicating status of a monitored cardiac condition of thepatient, wherein the patient-implanted sensor is configured to measure aphysiological parameter associated with patient fluid volume as an inputto the periodic readings; receiving patient-specific informationcomprising current patient physical parameters, past patient physicalparameters and patient medical history related to the monitored medicalcondition; generating prompts to the patient to initiate periodicreadings; determining based on the received readings andpatient-specific information, using a stored diagnostic or treatmentalgorithm, whether patient fluid volume falls within or outside of anormal range of fluid volume for the patient, wherein the normal rangecorresponds to at least a portion of a euvolemic range of fluid statefor the patient; generating a notification to the patient indicatingnormal range when the received readings are determined to fall withinthe normal range; generating a notification to the patient includinginstructions for self-care actions when (i) the received readings falloutside of the normal range or (ii) the received readings are within thenormal range and a change in patient fluid volume exceeds a pre-setthreshold; and generating a notification to a care provider when thereceived readings are determined to exceed pre-set limits comprising oneor more of (i) a hypovolemic warning zone at a hypovolemic end of thepatient euvolemic range, (ii) a hypervolemic warning zone at ahypervolemic end of the patient euvolemic range, and (iii) a combinationof a change in patient fluid volume and position of patient fluid statewithin the normal range of the euvolemic range for the patient.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustrating the disclosed embodiments, the drawingsshow aspects thereof. It is to be understood, however, that theteachings of the present disclosure are not limited to the precisearrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic plot of patient fluid volume versus response fordisclosed embodiments employing on IVC diameter or area measurement(curves A₁ and A₂) in comparison to prior pressure-based systems (curveB) and in general relationship to IVC collapsibility index (IVC CI,curve C).

FIG. 2 illustrates a hypothetical comparison of patient fluid volumeover time in treatment for hypervolemia as between an IVC diameter orarea measurement-based approach according to the present disclosure(curve X) and a typical pressure-based approach (curves Y and Z).

FIGS. 3A and 3B schematically illustrate alternative treatmentembodiments employing titration of therapy based on disclosed systems.

FIG. 3C illustrates a treatment scenario based on disclosed systemembodiments.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 5A and 5B schematically illustrate embodiments ofclosed loop control of dialysis and therapy/treatment devices based onsystems disclosed herein.

FIGS. 6A and 6B schematically depict components and possible arrangementof alternative system embodiments as disclosed herein.

FIG. 6C shows examples of screen shots from a patient's mobile devicepresenting patient prompts as part of a patient self-directed therapyalgorithm.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary algorithm for determination of IVCcollapsibility (IVC CI) on which a treatment algorithm may be based.

FIG. 8 illustrates a possible treatment algorithm according to thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary workflow utilizing a system employing animplanted IVC Volume Metric monitoring device as disclosed herein.

FIG. 10 schematically illustrates one embodiment of a local system forreceiving signals/communicating with an implant according to embodimentsdisclosed herein.

FIG. 11 presents a block diagram of one embodiment of an IVC measurementimplant.

FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C illustrate more details of further embodimentsof IVC measurement implants according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 a block diagram of a computing system that can be used toimplement any one or more of the methodologies disclosed herein and anyone or more portions thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments disclosed herein include systems and methodologies allowingfor regular, periodic or continuous monitoring of fluid volume moreaccurately than current techniques and with reduced lag time beforechanges in volume status are observed, thus providing earlier warning ofhypervolemia or hypovolemia and enabling the modulation of patienttreatments to permit more stable long term fluid management. Further, inacute situations, the methods and systems disclosed enable more rapidreduction of excessive intravascular volume and edema and restoration ofmore ideal fluid balance, with lessened risk of creating a hypovolemicstate as can be created when patient “drying” treatments overshoot dueto the response of patient monitoring devices or protocols.

A challenge presented by patients in decompensated heart failure ismanaging patient fluid balance, bringing down excess fluid volume asquickly as possible, but without overshooting and taking the patientinto a potentially equally dangerous hypovolemic state. In the longerterm management of heart failure, maintaining fluid balance is still achallenge, but in this case it involves maintaining the patient wellwithin a safe fluid state without unintentionally migrating into ahypervolemic or hypovolemic state.

Existing clinical devices focused on pressure measurement presentcertain difficulties in meeting these challenges. Pressure measurementscan be useful as an indicator of gross fluid volume change, and as apredictor of acute decompensation when fluid levels are already at arelatively high level. However, detectable changes in PAP can lagchanges in physiological state to an extent that a patient may be in anearly stage of the risk zone before the change is identified. Also, asshown in FIG. 1, the relationship between pressure and volume in the IVCis highly nonlinear over the entire range from hypovolemic to euvolemicto hypervolemic, exhibiting significant volume change within themid-range, generally euvolemic state, with minimal corresponding changein pressure that can be measured. (See FIG. 1, curve B). For thesereasons, PAP and CVP can be limited predictors of volume status andlikelihood of acute decompensation before a near acute stage is reached.

While there is a general knowledge of a correlation between IVC diameterand patient health and fluid state, existing devices and techniques formonitoring patient fluid state across the full volume range have not ledto treatment systems or methodologies permitting more rapidstabilization of acute patients and longer term maintenance without thatavoids the critical fluid states and may thus lead to otherwiseunnecessary treatments or hospitalizations.

“Euvolemia” refers to the normal fluid volume in a patient's body, and“euvolemic region” refers to a range of fluid volume within the patientthat is clinically characterizable as normal or not requiringintervention. (“Euvolemia” is also sometimes referred to in the medicalliterature as “normovolemia.”) The euvolemic region, as explained inmore detail below, also a fluid state or volume range across whichmeasurement of central venous pressure (CVP) in the IVC is generallynon-responsive to changes in fluid volume. “Hypervolemia” refers to astate in which a patient's body fluid volume exceeds a normal range, and“hypervolemic range” refers to a range of fluid volume within thepatient that is clinically characterizable as excessive. Interventionmay be indicated when a patient trends towards, enters into or persistswithin the hypervolemic range. “Hypovolemia” refers to a state in whicha patient's body fluid volume is below a normal range, and “hypovolemicrange” refers to a range of fluid volume within the patient that isclinically characterizable as insufficient. As with the hypervolemicrange, intervention also may be indicated when a patient trends towards,enters into or persists within the hypovolemic range. As iswell-understood by clinicians and other persons of skill in the art,these body fluid states are not static nor are they uniform or in termsof absolute volume. While it is possible for a person of ordinary skillto assign approximate ranges of parameters generally corresponding tothe different fluid states, it can be difficult in practice for ordinaryskilled persons, with existing diagnostic tools and methods, to identifywhere a particular patient's fluid state may reside with respect to theeuvolemic, hypovolemic and hypervolemic ranges.

In response to the need for more accurate devices with faster responsetimes, the Assignee of the present disclosure has developed a number ofnew devices that provide fluid volume data based on direct measurementof physical dimensions of the IVC, such as the diameter or area.Examples of these new devices are described, for example, inPCT/US2016/017902, filed Feb. 12, 2016, U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/427,631, filed Nov. 29, 2016, and U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/534,329, filed Jul. 19, 2017 by thepresent Applicant, each of which is incorporated by reference herein inits entirety. Devices of the types described in these prior disclosuresfacilitate new management and treatment techniques as described hereinbased on regular intermittent (e.g., daily) or substantially continuous(near real-time), direct feedback on IVC diameter.

In further alternative embodiments disclosed herein, patient fluid statecan be further modulated based on a combination of IVC data with othermonitoring signals; symptoms and clinical input, by use of IVC data asit is influenced by some stimulus (e.g., exercise; leg raises) toindicate either system capacitance or redistribution of fluid, by use ofIVC measurements from an implanted sensor to transmit regularinformation locally to help the clinical management of patients, e.g.patients managing their own dialysis and/or diuresis at home, or by useof IVC measurement from an implanted sensor to control drug delivery(e.g., like a closed loop implanted system for diabetes). Advantagesachievable with disclosed systems and methods may include improvedreduction of excessive intravascular blood volume in the clinicalsetting, through the controlled use of diuretics, more accuratemanagement of blood volume in the home setting, through the monitoringof patients and use of a treatment algorithm, more rapid dialysisthrough the monitoring of volume and informed variation of dialysisrate.

As an illustration of the presently disclosed methodology, FIG. 1presents a schematic plot of patient fluid volume versus a number ofresponses. IVC diameter or measurement versus Volume are shown by curvesA₁ and A₂ in comparison to IVC Pressure versus Volume (curve B) and theIVC collapsibility index versus Volume (IVC CI, curve C). The IVCcollapsibility index (CI) is equal to the measured IVC dimension atmaximum extension minus the same dimension at minimum extension dividedby the maximum extension dimension. (CI=Max-Min/Max). Any singledimension measurement may be used, i.e. major diameter, minor diameteror area (see FIG. 7). It should be noted that FIG. 1 is intended only tosummarize and illustrate overall relationships of the parametersdiscussed, and does not represent specific data points or data plottedto scale. (Curves A₁ and A₂ represent data from preclinical and benchtoptesting conducted by the present Applicant based on prototype devices ofa type described herein. Curve B is adapted from canine IVC resultspublished by Moreno et al., Circ. Res. (1970) 27 (5): 1069-1080.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, the response of pressure-based diagnostictools (B) over the euvolemic region (D) is relatively flat and thusprovides minimal information as to exactly where patient fluid volumeresides within that region. Pressure-based diagnostic tools thus tend toonly indicate measurable response after the patient's fluid state hasentered into the hypovolemic region (O) or the hypervolemic region (R).In contrast, a diagnostic approach based on IVC diameter or areameasurement across the respiratory and/or cardiac cycles (A₁ and A₂),which correlates directly to IVC volume and IVC CI (hereinafter “IVCVolume Metrics”) provides relatively consistent information on patientfluid state across the full range of states.

Using IVC diameter or area measurement as an indicator of patient fluidvolume as disclosed herein thus provides an opportunity for earlierresponse both as a hypovolemic warning and as an earlier hypervolemicwarning. With respect to hypovolemia, when using pressure as amonitoring tool, a high pressure threshold can act as a potential signof congestion, however when pressure is below a pressure threshold(i.e., along the flat part of curve B), it gives no information aboutthe fluid status as the patient approaches hypovolemia. With respect tohypervolemia, IVC diameter or area measurements potentially provide anearlier signal than pressure-based signals due to the fact that IVCdiameter or area measurements change a relatively large amount withoutsignificant change in pressure. Hence, a threshold set on IVC diameteror area measurements can give an earlier indication of hypervolemia, inadvance of a pressure-based signal.

Based on systems and methods disclosed herein, a patient healthcareprovider can devise defined early warning zones for the hypovolemicregion (O_(E)) and hypervolemic region (R_(E)). Just as the euvolemicregion boundaries vary from patient to patient based on many physicaland health related factors, such as age, sex, obesity and disease state.The early warning zones reside within the euvolemic range immediatelyadjacent the hypovolemic and hypervolemic regions such that the patientmay still be considered to be within acceptable fluid balance parameterswhen in the early warning zones. However, the ability to define earlywarning zones as such based on IVC diameter or area measurements meansthat appropriate interventions may be initiated earlier, before thepatient reaches higher levels of criticality, and thus also may becontrolled more precisely and smoothly to minimize risk of shock fromsudden interventions and/or overshoot of therapy targets. Table II belowillustrates an example of possible fluid state regions for ahypothetical patient in accordance with the teachings of the presentdisclosure.

TABLE I Example of Fluid State Regions for Hypothetical PatientHypovolemic Hypovolemic Early Euvolemic Hypervolemic Early HypervolemicRegion (O) Warning Zone (O_(E)) Region Warning Zone (R_(E)) Range (R)IVC ∅ <14 mm + IVC ∅ = 14-16 mm + IVC ∅ ~ 14-21 IVC ∅ = 19-21 mm + IVC∅ >21mm + IVCCI >75% IVCCI = 60-75% mm + IVCCI ~ IVCCI = 50-60% IVCCI<50% 50-75%

FIG. 2 illustrates a hypothetical comparison of patient fluid volumeover time in treatment for hypervolemia as between an IVC VolumeMetrics-based approach according to the present disclosure (curve X) anda typical pressure-based approach (curve Y). Because of the greaterinformation available in the euvolemic region, the IVC VolumeMetrics-based approach permits more aggressive initial treatment withlower risk of overshoot into the hypovolemic region (low), resulting inbringing the patient into the euvolemic region (safe) more quickly ascompared to a pressure-based system, which must modulate therapy moregradually. Curve Z illustrates the potential risk for a pressure-basedsystem if treatment were initially applied in a manner similar to theIVC Volume Metrics-based system. Without the greater information andfeedback available (as illustrated by FIG. 1, curves A₁ and A₂), by thetime the treatment provider sees a response from the diagnostic tools,the aggressive treatment may have already pushed the patient into thehypovolemic region (low).

Use of IVC diameter or area measurements as described herein thus offersadvantages in titrating patient therapies. FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrateembodiments of possible therapy titration schedules over the patientfluid state ranges based on the teachings of the present disclosure.Because IVC diameter/area changes more accurately reflect changes inpatient fluid volume consistent with actual fluid state, IVC diameter orarea measurements can be used to help titrate treatments more preciselyand adjust the therapeutic intervention more subtly and incrementally,rather than just using a hard threshold as is now the clinical norm. Useof IVC diameter or area measurements also allows the flexibility ofpotentially titrating patients to a personalised volume, for example,keeping a patient with reduced cardiac ejection fraction (HFrEF) at awetter point, while maintaining a patient with preserved cardiacejection fraction (HFpEF) at a drier point.

FIG. 3A describes one possible treatment algorithm in this regard inwhich patient therapy is reduced when the patient's flood volumecomfortably falls in the mid-range of the euvolemic region. In thistreatment algorithm example, in which curve (T) represents a relativetherapy level plotted against patient fluid volume, therapy is increasedrelatively rapidly once the patient's fluid volume moves from themid-range of the euvolemic region as indicated by monitored changes inthe IVC diameter or area. Such a treatment algorithm may be appropriate,for example, for a patient that is known to have a slow response totherapy in order to avoid having the patient move too far into thehypovolemic or hypervolemic regions before responding to the treatment.FIG. 3B describes another possible treatment algorithm based on theteachings of the present disclosure. In this example, relative therapycurve (T) is flatter across the majority of the euvolemic region (D) andonly significantly increases once fluid volume, as determined based onsensed changes in IVC diameter or area, moves into one of the predefinedearly warning regions O_(E) or R_(E) that have been determined to beclinically appropriate for the specific patient being monitored. Forillustration purposes, curve A₂ from FIG. 1 (representing change in IVCdiameter/area vs. fluid volume) is superimposed over treatment curve (T)in FIG. 3B so that the relative relationship between IVC diameter/areachange and treatment algorithm in this example may be betterappreciated.

FIG. 3C schematically illustrates practical application of therelationships illustrated in FIG. 1 and potential advantages oftreatment algorithms such as described in FIGS. 3A and 3B, based onsensed changes in IVC diameter or area as disclosed herein. In FIG. 3C,relative patient fluid volumes for hypothetical patients (whose therapyis titrated according to a treatment algorithm as described above) areplotted against relative time. Curves FVR1 and FVR2 thus represent twohypothetical examples of patient fluid volume response to therapy overtime. In each case, applying a treatment algorithm such as described inthe examples of FIG. 3A or 3B, patient therapy can be titrated moreaccurately with respect to actual fluid state within the euvolemicregion such that therapy may be applied at appropriate times earlier andmore gradually to ensure that overall patient fluid volume stays withinor as close as possible to the euvolemic region.

IVC diameter or area measurements also may be used in combination withother diagnostic signals to provide guidance on therapeuticintervention, e.g. diuretics versus vasodilators. When used withintervention, the IVC diameter or area measurement time dynamicsresponse may be used to give information on the fluidstatus/distribution of the patient to guide therapy intervention.Response of IVC diameter or area measurements to a perturbation, e.g.,physical activity, can cause sympathetic nerve response and fluidredistribution. Looking at changes in IVC diameter or area will thusprovide information on fluid volume status. In other words, an act assimple as a leg raise may cause a fluid change/redistribution that couldalso provide information on fluid volume status that would not bevisible with pressure-based systems. Thus, in certain embodiments,at-risk patients may have continuous or near-continuous monitoring ofIVC diameter or area changes during physical activity.

Sensed changes in IVC diameter or area also may be combined with otherparameters such as with BNP or pressure/edema signals to help guidetherapy intervention or differentiate patient phenotype (HFrEF v HFpEF).Examples include detection of low collapsibility plus peripheral edemaas an indication for diuretic therapy or detection of low collapsibilitywithout peripheral edema as an indication for indicate vasodilatortherapy. Combination of monitoring IVC diameter or area changes withimplanted pressure-based monitors (in the IVC, right atrium, rightventricle, pulmonary artery, left atrium, or other vessel) also maypermit determination of abdominal pressure and flow in the IVC. Inaddition, the IVC monitoring device of the invention may includeadditional sensors to measure non-dimensional parameters within the IVCsuch as blood flow rate and venous pressure. Further, measurement of thedimensions or non-dimensional parameters of other vessels, such as thesuperior vena cava, pulmonary artery, or heart chambers, may in somecases be advantageous to supplement IVC measurement. In such cases,dimensional measurement devices similar to the IVC monitoring device ofthe present invention may be configured for implantation in such othervessels. In such embodiments, the methods and systems of the inventionmay be adapted to receive such supplementary data from these sources andincorporate such data in the determination of fluid status, heartfailure status, appropriate thresholds for communicating alerts ormessages, or therapeutic treatment plans or recommendations.

Use of IVC diameter or area measurements also leads to the developmentof new systems such as closed-loop systems for therapy intervention asdescribed herein. Examples include modification of a standard dialysissystem filtration rate from a constant rate to a faster or variable rateusing information that was previously unavailable to the clinician orpatient. In one example, as illustrated in FIG. 4A, IVC diameter or areameasurements may provide faster dialysis treatment in a closed-loopsystem, such as described below, by guiding higher filtration rateswhile the fluid load is high and inform reducing filtration rate as thefluid is reduced, ultimately resulting in a faster and safer treatment.Hypotensive events may occur in patients undergoing dialysis due tofluid removal occurring too rapidly. FIG. 4A plots patient fluid volumeagainst rate of dialysis for a closed-loop system based on embodimentsdescribed herein, which may allow for more efficient dialysis, e.g.,fast enough to remove fluid without the side effects of fast fluidremoval. When ultrafiltration (UF) is constant, the degree of vascularrefilling will differ from patient to patient, therefore usingadditional information provided by IVC diameter or area measurements mayallow the UF rate to be more accurately individualized in a timedependent fashion over the course of the dialysis session for specificpatients. IVC diameter or area measurement information may be combinedwith other diagnostic tools such as blood pressure monitoring to moreaccurately estimate fluid volume status as a basis for altering the rateof filtration.

FIG. 4B illustrates another embodiment in which alteration of dialysisfiltration rate may be based on periodic assessments of IVC diameter orarea change, e.g., a percent change in IVC volume metric per hourcoinciding with a total desired volume that needs to be removed. (Eachdownward arrow in FIG. 4B indicates relative time of each assessment.)This is another alternative approach to control of UF rate, which allowsincreased accuracy and individualization of treatment for specificpatients in a time dependent fashion over the course of a dialysissession. Another alternative dialysis control methodology is describedin FIG. 4C in which the IVC volume metric rate of change, based onmeasured changes in IVC diameter or area, is plotted against timethrough a hypothetical dialysis session. Employing systems as describedherein, time-based check points may be provided, at which time themeasured IVC volume metric is checked against predefined patientspecific targets. At each check point, UF rate may be altered as neededto direct the patient more efficiently and smoothly to the final fluidvolume target. Compared to existing systems, which rely primarily on dryweight estimation based on inter-dialytic weight gain, employingmethodologies as described in any of FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C with systemsdisclosed herein provides for increased individualization of UF rate forspecific patients over the course of the dialysis session.

In another example, illustrated in FIG. 5A, an implanted drug pump ordevice may be provided, for example as a closed-loop dialysis managementsystem. In such a system, at a hypervolemic end of the scale the deviceruns at high speed/delivers large load. As volume is reduced the deviceslows. This allows time for the interstitial fluid to return to theintravascular space. As the fluid load approaches hypovolemia the devicespeed/drug load rate could increase proportionally to avoid ahypovolemic state. Such control requires knowledge of incrementalchanges in fluid state across the euvolemic ranges, which is provided bymethodologies and systems described herein. As a point of reference,curve A₂ indicating relative IVC diameter or area measurement (fromFIG. 1) is superimposed on the treatment curve (T) in FIG. 5A. In yet afurther example, illustrated in FIG. 5B, a closed loop system accordingto embodiments described herein allows for volume control-based therapydelivery modulated based on measured changes in IVC diameter or area. Inthis example, at either end of the euvolemic region (D), therapydelivery, e.g., drug delivery such as a diuretic or dialysis filtration,may be altered up (T_(u)) or alerted down (T_(d)) in accordance with IVCdiameter or area measurements.

FIG. 6A schematically illustrates one exemplary system 10 including anIVC diameter/area measurement monitoring device 12 positioned at amonitoring location in the IVC. In the example illustrated, monitoringdevice 12 is an ultrasound-based device 12 a anchored within the IVC anduses an ultrasound signal reflected off the opposite wall of the IVC todetect the distance by measuring the time-of-travel of this signal andthus provide a diameter measurement. Other examples of monitoringdevices include resonant circuit-based devices in which characteristicinductance varies as the devices expand or contract with the IVC wall.Non-limiting examples of monitoring devices that may be used in systemsaccording to the present disclosure are described below and shown inFIGS. 10, 11, and 12A-C. Further examples and details of suitable IVCdiameter/area monitoring devices are disclosed in the aforementioned andincorporated PCT and provisional applications by the present Applicant.

Measurements of IVC diameter or area by monitoring device 12 may be madecontinuously over one or more respiratory cycles to determine thevariation in IVC dimensions over this cycle. Further, these measurementperiods may be taken continuously, at preselected periods and/or inresponse to a remotely provided prompt from a health careprovider/patient. In this example, monitoring device 12 may communicatevia an implanted antenna 14 positioned in the left brachiocephalic veinor other location close to an insertion point or location facilitatingsignal detection by an external antenna or detector 16. Externalantenna/detector 16 may be configured to be handheld by the patient orhealthcare provider, or worn by or affixed to the patient in ananatomical location selected for optimal communication with theimplanted antenna 14. Communication between the implanted antenna 14 andmonitoring device 12 occurs via an intravascular lead 18, which extendsthrough the venous vasculature to the monitoring device 12. This is justone example of a communications arrangement with a monitoring devicesuch as device 12. In another example, wireless communication toreceiver(s) outside the body may be effected directly by the monitoringdevice itself, without a separate, implanted antenna and connectingintravascular lead.

External antenna/detector 16 may be configured to communicate viawireless or wired connection with bedside console 30, smart phone 32, orother external communication/control device. Data collected by themonitoring device may be communicated ultimately to a healthcareprovider device 20 via wired 22 and/or wireless 24 communications and/ordirectly through hard wired links such as telephone or local areanetworks 26 or through Internet or cloud based systems 28.Communications may be facilitated by a bedside console 30 in a home orclinical treatment location or, particularly in the case of implantedmonitoring devices, through a mobile device 32, such as a smart phone.Healthcare provider device 20 may be configured with appropriate userinterface, processing and communications modules for data input andhandling, communications and processing, as well as treatment andcontrol modules, which may include treatment algorithms as describedherein for determining treatment protocols based on collected IVCdiameter or area measurements, and systems for automated remote controlof treatment devices based on determined treatment protocols aselsewhere described herein. Examples of such treatment devices include,but are not limited to, dialysis machine 34 and drug delivery devices36. Examples of treatments include, when measured dimensions fall withinthe hypovolemic warning zone, administration of fluids orvaso-constricting drugs, and when measured dimensions fall within thehypervolemic warning zone, dialysis or administration of diuretics orvasodilating drugs.

IVC physical dimension data and/or fluid volume state informationderived therefrom may also be communicated directly to the patientthemselves, along with therapy advice based on this data and usingpre-determined algorithms/implanted medical devices. Communicationsprotocols throughout the system may include bidirectional communicationsto permit a healthcare provider (or other appropriately trained operatorat another point in the system) to alter overall monitoring protocolsexecuted at the monitoring device or, for example, to request additionalqueries by the monitoring device outside the current operationalprotocol.

Other embodiments include systems for patient self-directed therapy, forexample with IVC volume metrics data utilized directly by the patientwith or without clinician overview, e.g., for self-administration ofdrugs or other therapies. Such systems may also be implemented for homedialysis and/or peritoneal dialysis. Wireless communication between theIVC monitor and the patient's cell phone or computer would allowcontinuous or periodic transmission of IVC data and the use of softwareapplications to provide alarms or reminders, graphically present trends,suggest patient actions, drug dosage options, or treatment systemsettings, and allow communication with physicians.

FIG. 6B schematically illustrates another exemplary system, which may,in one alternative, incorporate patient self-directed therapy. As shownin FIG. 6B, system 40 provides for communication between the patienthome system 42, cloud storage 44, a patient management system 46, aphysician alert system 48, and optionally a hospital network 50. Datatransmission from the patient home system 42 to the cloud 44 for storageand access facilitates remote access for clinical and nursing teams. Inpatient self-directed therapy embodiments, patient's home may includehome therapy devices 52, which may independently access cloud storage44, and based on predetermined limits/treatment algorithms, indicatepatient self-administration of medications or drug delivery 54 or homedialysis machines 56. In such a system a patient with wireless implant12 may receive prompts from a cell phone or other device in the home atspecific time intervals or in response to data 58 generated by otherpatient monitoring devices such as blood pressure, heart rate orrespiration monitors that also communicate with the home device and maytransmit data to cloud 44 for storage. System 40 may also includecommunication links (direct, networked or cloud-based) with such othermonitoring devices to receive data 58 inputs used in setting warningzones and alert limits and assessing patient fluid state. Further inputsmay be made by a user through a user interface, which may be, forexample, configured as part of patient management system 46. User inputsmay include additional patient-specific information such as patient age,sex, height, weight, activity level, or health history indicators.

In response to a prompt from system 40 to take a reading, the patientwould position him/herself with respect to antenna/detector 60 asappropriate to communicate with selected implant 12. Antenna/detector 60may communicate locally with a control console 62 to receive andinterpret signals from implant 12. FIG. 6C shows screen shots of apatient mobile device with examples of sequential prompts as may beprovided on a home/mobile/cellular device.

Varying levels of response may be generated by the home system 42depending on IVC measurements received from implant 12 and as may beinterpreted in light of other patient data 58. Minimal responses mayindicate to the patient that fluid status is within acceptable rangesand no action is required. Mid-level responses may include prompts formedication administration or changes in home drug delivery, or homedialysis. Examples of treatment protocols are explained further below.When home dialysis or drug delivery is prompted, it may be controlleddirectly in a closed-loop system as described above or may be controlledby the patient with prompts from the system. Patient data 58 and IVCmeasurements from implant 12 also may be communicated continuously orperiodically by system 40 to cloud storage 44 and further communicatedto a remote patient management system 46. Functionality for system 40may be largely contained in home system 42 or in patient managementsystem 46 or appropriately distributed across the network. Optionally,patient related data including sensor results and patient health andfluid states also may be communicated to or accessible by a hospitalnetwork 60. System 40 also may receive patient related data, includingfor example, medical records related to past therapies and medicalhistory.

When a patient condition is recognized by system 40 as outsideacceptable limits, an alert may be generated by physician alert system48. Information supporting the alert condition may be communicated, forexample, through patient management system 46 to physician alert system48. Physician alert system 48 may reside at a healthcare provider officeor may include a mobile link accessible by the health care providerremotely, and which permits communication 64 between the healthcareprovider and the patient. Communication 64 between healthcare providerand patient may be network, Internet or telephone based and may includeemail, SMS (text) messaging or telephone/voice communication. Physicianalert system 48 allows the healthcare provider to review logs of IVCmeasurements over time and make decisions regarding therapy titration,and in critical cases, hospital admissions, remote from the patient.

Exemplary system embodiments 10 and 40 are each illustrated,respectively, in FIGS. 6A and 6B with various system functions assignedto particular functional elements of the systems. For the sake ofclarity of the disclosure, not all possible distributions of functionsin functional elements across the system are described. As will beappreciated by persons of ordinary skill, other than the function of thesensor implant itself and, in some instances, an antenna communicatingwirelessly with the sensor implant, all functions may be distributedamong functional elements in any number of arrangements as best suitedto a home or clinical application and the intended location of sensorreading function, e.g., in a home or hospital setting. For example, allsystem functions (except sensor specific functions as mentioned) may becontained in a single functional unit in the form of a stand-alonepatient management system. Alternatively, functions may be highlydistributed among mobile devices networked with secure cloud computingsolutions. For example, the sensor implant or, in cases where specificexternal antenna configuration is required, an antenna control modulemay communicate directly with a patient-owned smart phone to receivesignals indicating IVC physical dimension measurements and, in turn,transmit those signals via WiFi or cell network to the cloud fordistribution to further mobile devices in the possession of healthcareproviders. Hand-held devices such as tablets or smart phones maycommunicate directly with controlled treatment delivery devices, or suchdevices may be controlled by a self-contained patient management system.Further, processing necessary for operation of the system also may bedistributed or centralized as appropriate, or may be duplicated inmultiple devices to provide safety and redundancy. As just one example,as shown in FIG. 6A, both bedside console 30 and smart phone 32 may becapable of performing identical functions and communicating withhealthcare provider device 20 to report results of execution of theassigned functions. Thus, the specific arrangement of the functionalelements (blocks) in the schematic presentations of the illustrativeexamples in FIGS. 6A and 6B are not to be considered as limiting withrespect to possible arrangements for distribution of disclosed functionsacross a network.

Various care algorithms may be developed based on systems 10 and 40. Inone scenario, a first, home-care algorithm governs interactions in thehome system including periodic IVC diameter/area measurements usingimplant 12 and dictates whether to maintain current therapies or tochange therapies within the scope of home-care team capabilities. Aslong as IVC volume metrics stay within predefined limits, the first,home-care algorithm continues to govern monitoring and treatment.However, if monitored parameters, for example IVC volume metrics, exceedthe predefined limits, then an alert is generated that engages a second,healthcare provider algorithm. Such an alert may be generated internallyby home system 42, or may be generated in patient management system 46(or physician alert system 48) based on monitored data communicated byhome system 42 and received by the other systems either periodically oron a continuous basis. In one embodiment, an alert initially is receivedby a physician's assistant or heart failure nurse who can triage thesituation through patient management system 46. At that level theassistant or nurse may elect to generate a message for communication 64to the patient through the network related to modulation of therapy orother parameters such as level of physical activity. However, if triageindicates the alert to represent a more critical event, the physicianmay be alerted through physician alert system 48. Multiple layers ofcare and review based on measured IVC volume metrics are thus providedto efficiently manage patient fluid status and where possible avoidhospitalizations.

As mentioned above, IVC collapsibility or IVC CI are parameters that maybe generated to facilitate diagnostic decisions based on IVC metrics.FIG. 7 illustrates one exemplary algorithm for determination of IVCcollapsibility on which a treatment algorithm may be based. One exampleof such a treatment algorithm is illustrated in FIG. 8. Another exampleis described below in Table I. Plots A and B in FIG. 7 show twodifferent IVC collapsibility conditions plotted as diameter versus timeover several respiratory cycles (in this case based on ultrasounddetection, but diameter/area detection of the IVC may be based on anyother modalities described herein to achieve similar results).

Based on a calculated IVC collapsibility, a treatment algorithm such asshown in FIG. 8 may be employed. Based on several published researchstudies, an IVC Collapsibility Index (IVC CI) of 15% or less indicatessignificant fluid overload, which may imply an imminent risk of acutedecompensation. An IVC CI of 20-30% might be considered normal, and anIVC CI of greater than 40% might indicate a hypovolemic state. Thesepercentages may be adjusted for patients with certain conditions. Forexample, a patient with heart failure with reduced ejection fractionmight preferably be maintained at a lower IVC CI (i.e., with morecirculating blood volume) to maximize cardiac output.

In developing any treatment algorithm a starting point is existingclinical guidelines, which a physician may then customize to anindividual patient. Consistent with medically accepted best practiceschanges to treatment algorithms are made in conjunction with normalclinical exam and other data that treating physician has available.Embodiments described herein offer a new and powerful tool in thisregard by making available regular IVC diameter or volume measurementswithout requiring a patient to be in a clinical setting and,potentially, providing continuous information on IVC volume metrics innear-real time.

With more and more accurate data on IVC volume metrics available to thehealthcare provider based on systems described herein, more refinedtreatment algorithms may be devised. Such algorithms also may include asignificant home-care component that was not previously possible. TableII below sets forth an alternative treatment algorithm in the form ofIVC metrics to guide to patient volume status over the course of 4-5respiratory cycles (IVC metrics employed in this algorithm includemaximum and minimum diameters & IVCCI calculation (max−min)/max)×100).

TABLE II Example of Treatment Algorithm Measurement IVC ∅ <14 mm and IVC∅ <21 mm and IVC ∅ <21 mm and IVC 0 >21 mm and IVCCI >75% IVCCI >50%IVCCI <50%, IVC IVCCI <50%, sniff or ∅ >21 mm and <20% quiet inspirationIVCCI >50% Characterize Low IVC ∅ and high Normal IVC ∅ and IntermediateIVC ∅ Dilated IVC ∅, low IVCCI (hypovolemic) IVCCI (euvolemic) and IVCCIIVCCI (hypervolemic) (intermediate) Trend Trending below normal Trendingwithin Trending towards Trending above normal normal thresholdsAssessment Review diuretic dosing No medication Increase monitoringConsider increasing or in line with the trend in changes requiredfrequency adding diuretic IVC metric based on normal metricsIntervention or If on diuretic and other Continue current Considerup-titration Add or increase loop no intervention signs of hypovolemiaare treatment regimen in of current medications diuretic (e.g. 40 mgpresent omit half a line with current in line with current furosemide or1 mg diuretic dose until signal guideline driven guideline standard ofbumetanide) changes e.g. stop diuretic standard of care, care Add orincrease for 24-48 hrs ensuring optimal thiazide or thiazide- If not ondiuretics, dosing of one like diuretic dose consider liberalization ofmedicine Consider switching oral fluid/salt from furosemide to IV If onvasodilators, lower loop diuretic: initiate dose or discontinue if with20-80 mg postural hypotension present Follow up Re-evaluate IVC trendsEvaluate weekly to Evaluate 2× weekly to Re-evaluate IVC in response todiuretic maintain stability maintain stability; trends in response tochange for 2-3 days; adjust thresholds if diuretic change for 2-3 adjustthresholds if necessary days necessary Measure renal function within5-10 days of diuretic change: if creatinine increase by 20% or greater,consider reducing or discontinuing diuretic or reducing the vasoactivemedication Additional n/a n/a n/a If no IVC response or actionscontinued trend elevations observed, consider vasodilator change

Treatment algorithms as described above may allow more precise titrationand management of a patient's circulating blood volume than pulmonaryartery pressure. As mentioned above, a patient might have a significantincrease in circulating blood volume with only minor changes inpressure. Despite the normal pressure, this added volume may havedeleterious short- and long-term effects on the patient's cardiac orrenal function. By directly using IVC diameter or area measurements, thepatient's fluid volume could be managed more closely, without a risk ofinducing hypovolemia, which could also have deleterious effects.

Utilizing embodiments described herein, it is possible to determine notonly IVC metrics indicating blood volume status, but also respirationand heart rates. New clinical work flows also may be employed based onthese multiple metrics to increase opportunities for improved patientoutcomes. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, utilizing a system employingan implanted IVC diameter/area monitoring device, workflow 70 mayinclude, for example, after device implantation 72, an initial detectionalgorithm that calls for periodic readings 74 of IVC diameter/area whenthe patient is at home. Such periodic readings may, for example, betaken weekly, daily or on other appropriate periods as determined by thehealthcare provider based on patient parameters. In some embodiments thereading may be taken with the patient lying supine in bed and inproximity to a bedside console. Alternatively, the IVC diameter/areamonitoring implant may include on-board memory, in which case it mayalso monitor IVC diameter or area measurements continuously or every fewminutes and record the readings over the course of a day, and transmitonce a day. Trend data for the selected period could be developed inthis manner. Readings may be transmitted through the communicationsnetwork as established to the clinical interface 76. Based on IVCmetrics, i.e., blood volume as determined in the clinical interface, thetreatment algorithm determines necessary interventions if any. Whenconditions or trends are indicated within predetermined “normal”parameters for the specific patient, no action 82 is indicated and thesystem resets for the next periodic reading 74. However, if a conditionor trend is indicated outside of the predetermined “normal” parameters,a clinical alert 84 may be generated and suggested interventionsestablished by the applicable treatment algorithm employed. For example,in response to clinical alert 84, the healthcare provider directed care86 or patient self-directed care 88 may be considered as suggestedinterventions and one or more effected consistent with the patienttreatment plan. For patients already in a clinical setting, this mayinclude instructions to other treatment devices connected to or workingwith the patient (for example, as shown in FIG. 6A with system 10).Other interventions or hospitalizations may be dictated for ambulatorypatients or those otherwise outside a clinical setting when the alert isgenerated. Particularly for patients outside a clinical setting when aninitial alert is generated, through bidirectional communication, thesystem allows the healthcare provider to instruct the monitoring deviceto generate one or more confirmatory monitoring signals beforetreatments are added or changed, or hospitalization required. After anintervention, the system may optionally reset for the next periodicreading 74. Depending on the nature or type of the initial clinicalalert 84 and interventions 86, 88, patient parameters may be modified 90by healthcare provider input or, optionally, in some cases,automatically by the system. Modifications may include, for example,changes in frequency of prompts for periodic readings 74 or changes intreatment algorithms that may be directed by the healthcare provider 86or patient self-directed 88.

Further exemplary embodiments may include patient fluid managementmethods comprising steps such as measuring the diameter of the IVC in apatient, calculation of IVC collapsibility index and/or estimatingpatient blood volume based on IVC collapsibility, applying a treatmentto the patient to effect a change in patient fluid level when determinedfluid level is outside predetermined limits, continuously orsubstantially continuously monitoring IVC diameter or area measurements,such as change in IVC diameter, during said treatment and modulatingsaid treatment in response to monitored change in the IVC diameter. Withsuch methods, treatment modulation may be accomplished in near real-timeas desired. The measurement and treatment may be directly linked andoperate directly in a closed loop.

In one alternative, measurement of IVC diameter or area measurements maybe performed by applying an electromagnetic signal from an externaltransmitter to a passive implant, and sensing the electromagneticbehavior of the passive implant in response to that signal using anexternal receiver. In another alternative, the measuring and monitoringmay comprise positioning a monitoring device at a monitoring locationwithin the IVC configured to detect a distance between opposed walls inthe IVC or the diameter/area of the IVC at the monitoring location.Examples of suitable passive implants of this type are also disclosed inthe aforementioned and incorporated PCT applications by the presentApplicant.

Further alternative embodiments may involve monitoring IVC dimensionvariation over the respiratory and cardiac cycle, which may additionallyinclude measurement/derivation of both breathing rate and heart rate ontheir own and/or in conjunction with different breathing maneuvers, orexercise. Longitudinal variation over days or weeks also may be a factormonitored. In another aspect, embodiments disclosed may includealgorithms that incorporate other physiologic data, such as vascularpressures, heart rate, weight, posture, exercise status, etc. and alsomay use data from other implanted sensors, or other external devices.

In yet another alternative, the modulating may comprise use of multipletreatment algorithms including trend analysis and reference baselineswith daily or near-daily titration of medications, diet, and othertherapeutic actions. Diuretic delivery also may be added with algorithmsgenerally applicable to patient populations, or custom algorithms basedon specific patient status or physiology, for example, HFpEF vs HFrEF,renal functional status.

Other exemplary embodiments include fluid management systems comprisingat least one monitoring device positioned in a patient IVC andconfigured to monitor IVC diameter or area measurements, such as changesin the IVC diameter, and output a signal representative of thosechanges. A healthcare provider device may be configured to communicatewith the monitoring device in the patient IVC and determine patienttreatment protocols based on the output signal and an executabletreatment algorithm. Interventional devices are included providingpatient treatment or therapies controlled by the healthcare providerdevice based on the determined treatment protocols.

A further alternative embodiment is a dialysis or ultrafiltrationmanagement method comprising continuously measuring the diameter of theIVC in a patient during dialysis or ultrafiltration, estimating patientblood volume based on measured IVC diameter, and adjusting the rate offluid removal to continuously optimize the patient's circulating bloodvolume. The measurement of the diameter may track diameter variationsover the respiratory and/or cardiac cycle. With such a method, apatient's circulating blood volume may be rapidly reduced to an optimallevel at the beginning of the dialysis session, and then maintained atthat level throughout the session as interstitial fluid migrates intothe circulatory system. Further alternatives in such a method may beused to optimize the dialysis procedure so as to maximize safety, bypreventing episodes of hypovolemia, effectiveness, by maximizing safefluid removal from the interstitial space over a given time periodand/or long-term patient health, by safely maintaining the patient at alower total body fluid volume than could otherwise be maintained.

Sensor Implant Examples

Examples of sensors 12 for use with systems and methods described hereinare shown in FIGS. 10, 11, 12A, 12B and 12C. As mentioned previously,systems according to the present disclosure may generally comprise animplant 12 configured for placement in a patient's IVC. Such implants 12may in some embodiments include control and communications modules, andone or more remote systems such as processing systems, userinterface/displays, data storage, etc., communicating with the controland communications modules through one or more data links, preferablyremote/wireless data links. FIG. 10 shows aspects of such systems, whichin some embodiments may comprise all or part of home system 42 as shownin FIG. 6B. Such a system may include an antenna/detector module 102 tocommunicate with and, in some embodiments, power or actuate the implant.Antenna/detector module 102 is controlled by controller 104, which maycomprise a bedside console as previously described. For patient comfort,as well as repeatability in positioning, antenna/detector module 102 maybe place in a pad or bed 106.

One form of implant 12 may employ a variable inductance L-C circuit 110for performing measuring or monitoring functions described herein, asshown in FIG. 11. Implant 12 may also include means 112 for securelyanchoring the implant within the IVC. Using a variable inductor 114 andknown capacitance 116, L-C circuit 110 produces a resonant frequencythat varies as the inductance is varied. With the implant securely fixedat a known monitoring position in the IVC, changes in shape or dimensionof the IVC cause a change in configuration of the variable inductor,which in turn cause changes in the resonant frequency of the circuit.These changes in the resonant frequency can be correlated to changes inthe vessel shape or dimension by the implant control and communicationsystem. Thus, not only should the implant be securely positioned at amonitoring position, but also, at least a variable coil/inductor portion114 of the implant may have a predetermined compliance (resilience)selected and specifically configured to permit the inductor to move withchanges in the vessel wall shape or dimension while maintaining itsposition with minimal distortion of the natural movement of the vesselwall. Thus, in some embodiments, the variable inductor is specificallyconfigured to change shape and inductance in proportion to a change inthe vessel shape or dimension.

Variable inductor 112 is configured to be remotely energized by anelectric field delivered by one or more transmit coils withinantenna/detector module 102 positioned external to the patient. Whenenergized, L-C circuit 110 produces a resonant frequency which is thendetected by one or more receive coils of the antenna module. Because theresonant frequency is dependent upon the inductance of the variableinductor, changes in shape or dimension of the inductor caused bychanges in shape or dimension of the vessel wall cause changes in theresonant frequency. The detected resonant frequency is then analyzed bythe control and communication components of the system to determine theIVC diameter or area, or changes therein.

Turning to specific embodiments of implant 12, implant 12 a, shown inFIG. 12, is an ultrasound-based device. As shown therein, 12 a comprisesthree major components or assemblies, electronics capsule 120, anchorelement 122 and anchor isolation structure 124 connecting theelectronics capsule and anchor element. Electronics capsule 120comprises a sealed housing 126 for containing control, power and otheralternative functional modules as elsewhere described herein to providea self-contained, sealed device. Capsule 120 also provides support formarker element 128, which in the case of implant 12 a is a singleultrasound marker element positioned at the inferior end of the device.Such a marker element may utilize one or more ultrasound crystals tomeasure IVC diameter by emitting an ultrasound pulse, and then detectingthe reflection of that pulse from the opposing wall of the IVC.

Electronics capsule 120 is connected to anchor element 122 at thesuperior end of the capsule. Anchor element 122 as depicted in thisembodiment includes a single anchor wire 130 configured in a generallyfigure-eight or double helix shape. Alternatively, the sameconfiguration can be provided with two or more wires. Anchor wire 130 ispinned to telescoping deployment member 132 at both its inferior end 134and superior end 136. Telescoping deployment member 132 includes innermember 138, which is secured to electronics capsule 120, through anchorisolation structure 124 and outer member 140. Relative motion betweeninner member 138 and outer member 140 moves anchor wire 130 from acollapsed position to a deployed or anchoring position. Barbs 142 may beincluded to ensure fixation.

Various actuation mechanisms may be utilized for deploying and securinganchor element 122. In one alternative, anchor wire 130 is resilient,with shape-memory properties configured to provide a rest state in thedeployed configuration. In this alternative, implant 12 a may bedelivered to the desired location in the IVC via a conventional guidecatheter or other suitable sheath type delivery device. When position isconfirmed as described below, implant 12 a is ejected from the deliverycatheter or sheath with anchor element 122 self-deploying upon ejection.

A further feature of implant 12 a is spacing between the marker elementposition relative to the anchor element, provided by anchor isolationstructure 124. In general, anchor element 122 is positioned sufficientlydistant from the marker elements so as to not have an effect upon theIVC size or shape at or close to the location of measurement due to theanchoring force imparted to the IVC wall. Anchor isolation structure 124facilitates the desired positioning, which may be distance approximately1 to 4 times the IVC diameter from the measurement location.

FIGS. 12B and 12C illustrate further details of resonant circuit-basedimplants 12 b and 12 c, respectively. Implant 12 b may comprise a“dog-bone”-like shape with a coil portion 150 and a capacitor portion152. Implant 12 b may comprise an electrically conductive wire or bundleof wires that is wound or otherwise formed into a single continuous coilcomprising multiple turns or loops having an oval or rounded rectangularshape. It may be advantageous to use “Litz” wire, which has multipleindependently insulated strands of wire, for the coil, since that mayenhance the inductance of the implant. The coil is configured to beoriented such that the longer dimension of the rectangular loops extendslongitudinally in a cranial-caudal direction within the IVC. The wire orgroup of wires may be wound multiple times in a continuous overlappingmanner such that the rectangles each are defined by two or more parallelstrands or bundles of wire about their periphery. The rectangles havecentral regions bounded by two or more longitudinal wires 154 formingspines 156 approximately defining a central plane running longitudinallyin a cranial-caudal direction. This central region is configured to bedisposed in a plane generally perpendicular to the anterior-posterioraxis of the vessel, and remains relatively undeformed as the vesselcollapses and expands in the anterior-posterior direction. Thelongitudinal elements may engage opposing walls of the vessel. At thecaudal and cranial ends of the central regions of the roundedrectangles, the wire or wires form two lobes or a pair of coil ears 158that flare outwardly away from each other and from the central plane ofthe implant in the anterior and posterior directions, as shown in FIG.12B. Coil ears 158 are configured to engage opposing anterior andposterior walls of the vessel and to leave the central lumen of thevessel completely unobstructed for flow of blood as indicated by thearrows.

As the IVC changes shape, the longitudinal wires may move closertogether or farther apart, and the coil ears may also move closertogether or farther apart, thereby changing the inductance of the coil.The ears may be separated by about 1 cm to about 5 cm at the apex of thecurved ends of the ears. An implant as adapted for an average IVC sizemay be about 2.5 cm to 10 cm long. It may be appreciated that as the IVCcollapses in the anterior-posterior direction, the ears deform inwardlythereby changing the inductance of the coil. However, the central regionof the coil remains relatively undeformed and maintains sufficient sizethat the inductance of the coil is high enough to produce a fieldsufficiently strong for external detection, as described more fullybelow. Capacitor portion 152 of implant 12 b includes a capacitorelement 160 to complete the RC circuit. Capacitor portion 152 can belocated in a number of locations, such as distal to the ears, or alongthe spine.

FIG. 12C illustrates another alternative implant embodiment. Theenlarged detail in the box of FIG. 12C represents a cross-sectional viewtaken as indicated. In this embodiment, implant 12 c includes multipleparallel strands of wire 170 formed around a frame 172. With multiplestrands of wires, the resonant circuit may be created with either theinclusion of a discrete capacitor, element or by the inherent inductanceof the coils without the need for a separate capacitor as capacitance isprovided between the wires 170 of the implant. Note that in thecross-sectional view of FIG. 12C, individual ends of the very fine wiresare not distinctly visible due to their small size. The wires arewrapped around frame 172 in such a way to give the appearance of layersin the drawing. Exact capacitance required for the RC circuit can beachieved by tuning of the capacitance through either or a combination ofdiscrete capacitor selection and material selection and configuration ofthe wires. In one alternative implant 12 c, there may be relatively fewwire strands, e.g. in the range of about 15 strands, with a number ofloops in the range of about 20. In another alternative implant 12 c,there may be relatively more wire strands, e.g., in the range of 300forming a single loop.

Frame 172 may be formed from Nitinol, either as a shape set wire orlaser cut shape. One advantage to a laser cut shape is that extra anchorfeatures may cut along with the frame shape and collapse into the framefor delivery. When using a frame structure as shown in FIG. 12C, theframe should be non-continuous so as to not complete an electrical loopwithin the implant. As with the previous embodiment, coil wires maycomprise fine, individually insulated wires wrapped to form a Litz wire.Factors determining inherent inductance include the number of strandsand number of turns and balance of capacitance, Frequency, Q, andprofile. One illustrative example of implant 12 c may be configured asfollows:

-   -   0.010″ NiTi frame with 8 crowns (174 in FIG. 12C)—insulated with        0.013″×0.00025″ wall PET heat-shrink/parylene    -   overall approximately 25-30 mm diameter    -   overall approximately 24 mm long    -   25 turns, 25 strand, 46AWG gold Litz wire    -   No discrete capacitor element—capacitance inherent in        configuration of implant    -   PET heat-shrink insulation (0.065″×0.00025″ wall)/parylene        coated

Insertion of devices into the circulatory system of a human or otheranimal is well known in the art and so is not described in significantdetail herein. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand afterreading this disclosure in its entirety that implants 12 can bedelivered to a desired location in the IVC using, e.g., a loading toolto load a sterile implant 12 into a sterile delivery system, which maybe used to deliver the implant to the IVC via a femoral vein or otherperipheral vascular access point, although other methods may be used.

Computer-Software Implementation

It is to be noted that any one or more of the aspects and embodimentsdescribed herein, such as, for example, related to communications,monitoring, control or signal processing, may be convenientlyimplemented using one or more machines (e.g., one or more computingdevices that are utilized as a user computing device for an electronicdocument, one or more server devices, such as a document server, etc.)programmed according to the teachings of the present specification.Appropriate software coding can readily be prepared by skilledprogrammers based on the teachings of the present disclosure, as will beapparent to those of ordinary skill in the software art. Aspects andimplementations discussed above employing software and/or softwaremodules may also include appropriate hardware for assisting in theimplementation of the machine executable instructions of the softwareand/or software module.

Such software may be a computer program product that employs amachine-readable storage medium. A machine-readable storage medium maybe any non-transitory medium that is capable of storing and/or encodinga sequence of instructions for execution by a machine (e.g., a computingdevice) and that causes the machine to perform any one of themethodologies and/or embodiments described herein. Examples of amachine-readable storage medium include, but are not limited to, amagnetic disk, an optical disc (e.g., CD, CD-R, DVD, DVD-R, etc.), amagneto-optical disk, a read-only memory “ROM” device, a random accessmemory “RAM” device, a magnetic card, an optical card, a solid-statememory device, an EPROM, an EEPROM, and any combinations thereof. Amachine-readable medium, as used herein, is intended to include a singlemedium as well as a collection of physically separate media, such as,for example, a collection of compact discs or one or more hard diskdrives in combination with a computer memory. As used herein, amachine-readable storage medium does not include transitory forms ofsignal transmission.

Such software may also include information (e.g., data) carried as adata signal on a data carrier, such as a carrier wave. For example,machine-executable information may be included as a data-carrying signalembodied in a data carrier in which the signal encodes a sequence ofinstruction, or portion thereof, for execution by a machine (e.g., acomputing device) and any related information (e.g., data structures anddata) that causes the machine to perform any one of the methodologiesand/or embodiments described herein.

Examples of a computing device include, but are not limited to, anelectronic book reading device, a computer workstation, a terminalcomputer, a server computer, a handheld device (e.g., a tablet computer,a smartphone, smart watch, etc.), a web appliance, a network router, anetwork switch, a network bridge, any machine capable of executing asequence of instructions that specify an action to be taken by thatmachine, and any combinations thereof. In one example, a computingdevice may include and/or be included in a kiosk.

FIG. 13 shows a diagrammatic representation of one embodiment of acomputing device in the exemplary form of an IVC diameter/area measuringimplant control and communication system 1000 within which a set ofinstructions for causing an implant control and communication system,such as a waveform generator, an oscilloscope, an EFM circuit, or animplant, among other systems and devices disclosed herein, to performany one or more of the aspects and/or methodologies of the presentdisclosure may be executed. It is also contemplated that multiplecomputing devices may be utilized to implement a specially configuredset of instructions for causing one or more of the devices to performany one or more of the aspects and/or methodologies of the presentdisclosure. Computer system 1000 includes a processor 1004 and a memory1008 that communicate with each other, and with other components, via abus 1012. Bus 1012 may include any of several types of bus structuresincluding, but not limited to, a memory bus, a memory controller, aperipheral bus, a local bus, and any combinations thereof, using any ofa variety of bus architectures.

Memory 1008 may include various components (e.g., machine-readablemedia) including, but not limited to, a random access memory component,a read only component, and any combinations thereof. In one example, abasic input/output system 1016 (BIOS), including basic routines thathelp to transfer information between elements within control andcommunication system 1000, such as during start-up, may be stored inmemory 1008. Memory 1008 may also include (e.g., stored on one or moremachine-readable media) instructions (e.g., software) 1020 embodying anyone or more of the aspects and/or methodologies of the presentdisclosure. In another example, memory 1008 may further include anynumber of program modules including, but not limited to, an operatingsystem, one or more application programs, other program modules, programdata, and any combinations thereof.

Control and communication system 1000 may also include a storage device1024. Examples of a storage device (e.g., storage device 1024) include,but are not limited to, a hard disk drive, a magnetic disk drive, anoptical disc drive in combination with an optical medium, a solid-statememory device, and any combinations thereof. Storage device 1024 may beconnected to bus 1012 by an appropriate interface (not shown). Exampleinterfaces include, but are not limited to, SCSI, advanced technologyattachment (ATA), serial ATA, universal serial bus (USB), IEEE 1394(FIREWIRE), and any combinations thereof. In one example, storage device1024 (or one or more components thereof) may be removably interfacedwith control and communication system 1000 (e.g., via an external portconnector (not shown)). Particularly, storage device 1024 and anassociated machine-readable medium 1028 may provide nonvolatile and/orvolatile storage of machine-readable instructions, data structures,program modules, and/or other data for control and communication system1000. In one example, software 1020 may reside, completely or partially,within machine-readable medium 1028. In another example, software 1020may reside, completely or partially, within processor 1004.

Control and communication system 1000 may also include an input device1032. In one example, a user of control and communication system 1000may enter commands and/or other information into control andcommunication system 1000 via input device 1032. Examples of an inputdevice 1032 include, but are not limited to, an alpha-numeric inputdevice (e.g., a keyboard), a pointing device, a joystick, a gamepad, anaudio input device (e.g., a microphone, a voice response system, etc.),a cursor control device (e.g., a mouse), a touchpad, an optical scanner,a video capture device (e.g., a still camera, a video camera), atouchscreen, and any combinations thereof. Input device 1032 may beinterfaced to bus 1012 via any of a variety of interfaces (not shown)including, but not limited to, a serial interface, a parallel interface,a game port, a USB interface, a FIREWIRE interface, a direct interfaceto bus 1012, and any combinations thereof. Input device 1032 may includea touch screen interface that may be a part of or separate from display1036, discussed further below. Input device 1032 may be utilized as auser selection device for selecting one or more graphicalrepresentations in a graphical interface as described above.

A user may also input commands and/or other information to control andcommunication system 1000 via storage device 1024 (e.g., a removabledisk drive, a flash drive, etc.) and/or network interface device 1040. Anetwork interface device, such as network interface device 1040, may beutilized for connecting control and communication system 1000 to one ormore of a variety of networks, such as network 1044, and one or moreremote devices 1048 connected thereto. Examples of a network interfacedevice include, but are not limited to, a network interface card (e.g.,a mobile network interface card, a LAN card), a modem, and anycombination thereof. Examples of a network include, but are not limitedto, a wide area network (e.g., the Internet, an enterprise network), alocal area network (e.g., a network associated with an office, abuilding, a campus or other relatively small geographic space), atelephone network, a data network associated with a telephone/voiceprovider (e.g., a mobile communications provider data and/or voicenetwork), a direct connection between two computing devices, and anycombinations thereof. A network, such as network 1044, may employ awired and/or a wireless mode of communication. In general, any networktopology may be used. Information (e.g., data, software 1020, etc.) maybe communicated to and/or from control and communication system 1000 vianetwork interface device 1040.

control and communication system 1000 may further include a videodisplay adapter 1052 for communicating a displayable image to a displaydevice, such as display device 1036. Examples of a display deviceinclude, but are not limited to, a liquid crystal display (LCD), acathode ray tube (CRT), a plasma display, a light emitting diode (LED)display, and any combinations thereof. Display adapter 1052 and displaydevice 1036 may be utilized in combination with processor 1004 toprovide graphical representations of aspects of the present disclosure.In addition to a display device, control and communication system 1000may include one or more other peripheral output devices including, butnot limited to, an audio speaker, a printer, and any combinationsthereof. Such peripheral output devices may be connected to bus 1012 viaa peripheral interface 1056. Examples of a peripheral interface include,but are not limited to, a serial port, a USB connection, a FIREWIREconnection, a parallel connection, and any combinations thereof.

As will be appreciated by persons of ordinary skill embodimentsdescribed herein may provide a number of beneficial effects andadvantages as follows:

As a fluid status indicator: Patients can be managed with greaterconfidence in euvolemia—i.e. with a greater margin of safety. Thephysician can take enough fluid off to restore some venous capacitanceto act as a buffer against sudden fluid overload causing an acutedecompensation—without taking so much fluid off as to cause kidneyissues (IVC Volume Metric and collapsibility (IVC CI) are both keymeasures of patient's fluid status, and are more sensitive/responsivethan pressure).

As a decompensation risk indicator: As IVC diameter or area measurements(e.g. diameter) increase/IVC collapsibility decreases (relative to anindividual patient's baseline) it provides an earlier indicator ofworsening fluid status, which in turn drives hemodynamic congestion,which drives clinical congestion (which may result in ADHF).

As an aid to therapeutic decision making: Healthcare providers can useIVC Volume Metrics to indicate optimal diuresis point with an ability toprovide longitudinal measures over a period of hours/days/weeks, helpingthe physician to factor in the impact of fluid redistribution (e.g.,from the interstitial tissue into the intravascular space).

As another aid to therapeutic decision making: IVC Volume Metrics assisthealthcare providers in decision making as to whether to alter relativedosages of diuretics vis-à-vis vasodilators. For example, when apatient's cardiac pressure is increased, disclosed systems and methodsfacilitate important clinical decisions such as whether the cause isincreased volume or increased vasoconstriction, whether to increasediuretics or vasodilators, whether to use IVC Volume Metrics to rulein/out increased volume as a primary cause of increased pressures, i.e.,if increased volume is confirmed then diuretics may be indicated, if notthen vasodilators may be indicated

Algorithm based on inputs and output as disclosed also:

-   -   Assesses IVC metric    -   Compares daily result and trend to guideline based limits (and        over time patient specific limits)    -   Determines if medication modification is required    -   Sends signal/message to patient and requests confirmation of        medication alteration    -   By exception (based on multiple times exceeding        limits/trends/other trigger)    -   Sends notification to managing physician    -   Physician can then use system to send message to patient to        modify medication and confirm change    -   System may provide alarm to remind patient to take        medication/take reading    -   All this info is stored in the cloud server

The foregoing has been a detailed description of illustrativeembodiments of the disclosure. It is noted that conjunctive languagesuch as is used herein in phrases like “at least one of X, Y and Z” and“one or more of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated or indicatedotherwise, shall be taken to mean that each item in the conjunctive listcan be present in any number exclusive of every other item in the listor in any number in combination with any or all other item(s) in theconjunctive list, each of which may also be present in any number.Applying this general rule, the conjunctive phrases in the foregoingexamples in which the conjunctive list consists of X, Y, and Z shalleach encompass: one or more of X; one or more of Y; one or more of Z;one or more of X and one or more of Y; one or more of Y and one or moreof Z; one or more of X and one or more of Z; and one or more of X, oneor more of Y and one or more of Z.

Various modifications and additions can be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of this disclosure. Features of each of the variousembodiments described above may be combined with features of otherdescribed embodiments as appropriate in order to provide a multiplicityof feature combinations in associated new embodiments. Furthermore,while the foregoing describes a number of separate embodiments, what hasbeen described herein is merely illustrative of the application of theprinciples of the present disclosure. Additionally, although particularmethods herein may be illustrated and/or described as being performed ina specific order, the ordering is highly variable within ordinary skillto achieve aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, thisdescription is meant to be taken only by way of example, and not tootherwise limit the scope of this disclosure.

Exemplary embodiments have been disclosed above and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. It will be understood by those skilled in the artthat various changes, omissions and additions may be made to that whichis specifically disclosed herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A patient self-care management system,comprising: a patient monitoring system that emits a signal containingdata representing a status of a monitored medical condition of thepatient, the patient monitoring system comprising a patient-implantedwireless sensor configured to measure a physiological parameterassociated with the monitored medical condition as an input to saiddata; and a processing system configured to receive said datarepresenting the status of the monitored medical condition andpatient-specific information, wherein the processing system— (a)accesses (i) at least one of a diagnostic or treatment algorithm relatedto the monitored medical condition, and (ii) at least one threshold orlimit with respect to the monitored medical condition; (b) generatespatient-directed notifications using the diagnostic or treatmentalgorithm, said patient-directed notifications including instructionsfor patient self-care actions responsive to the status of the monitoredmedical condition of the patient; (c) provides the patient-directednotifications for receipt by the patient through a patient personaldevice user interface; (d) generates care-provider-directednotifications when the threshold or limit with respect to the monitoredmedical condition is determined to be exceeded or met; and (e) transmitsthe care-provider-directed notifications for receipt by a care providerthrough a care provider device.
 2. The patient self-care managementsystem of claim 1, wherein: monitored medical condition is a cardiaccondition; and said data representing status of the monitored medicalcondition comprises data representative of patient fluid volume, heartrate and respiration rate.
 3. The patient self-care management system ofclaim 2, wherein: patient-directed notifications are generated at leastin part in response to the monitored medical condition indicatingpatient fluid volume within a normal range defined as a portion of aeuvolemic range of fluid state for the patient; and the pre-setthresholds or limits comprise at least one of (i) a hypovolemic warningzone at a hypovolemic end of the patient euvolemic range and ahypervolemic warning zone at a hypervolemic end of the patient euvolemicrange, and (ii) a combination of a change in patient fluid volume andposition of patient fluid volume within the normal range portion of theeuvolemic range for the patient.
 4. The patient self-care managementsystem of claim 1, wherein the patient monitoring system furthercomprises a control module configured to receive and transmit signals toand from the patient-implanted sensor, and to receive and transmitsignals to and from the processing system.
 5. The patient self-caremanagement system of claim 4, wherein the control module comprises asoftware application executed on the patient personal device configuredto provide reminders and instructions through a personal device userinterface.
 6. The patient self-care management system of claim 2,wherein the implanted sensor comprises an IVC dimension monitoringdevice.
 7. The patient self-care management system of claim 2, whereinthe implanted sensor comprises an implanted patient blood pressuresensor.
 8. The patient self-care management system of claim 2, whereinthe implanted sensor comprises electrodes.
 9. The patient self-caremanagement system of claim 2, wherein the implanted sensor comprises anultrasound transducer.
 10. The patient self-care management system ofclaim 2, wherein said data representative of patient fluid volumecomprises patient blood pressure.
 11. The patient self-care managementsystem of claim 2, wherein said data representing a status of monitoredmedical condition further comprises heart electrical activity.
 12. Thepatient self-care management system of claim 1, wherein thepatient-specific information comprises current patient physicalparameters, past patient physical parameters and patient medical historyrelated to the monitored medical condition.
 13. The patient self-caremanagement system of claim 1, further comprising a care provider deviceconfigured to receive care-provider-directed notifications from theprocessing system.
 14. A patient self-care method, comprising: receivingperiodic readings from a patient monitoring system including a patientimplanted wireless sensor indicating status of a monitored medicalcondition of the patient, wherein the patient-implanted sensor isconfigured to measure a physiological parameter associated with themonitored medical condition as an input to the periodic readings;receiving patient-specific information; determining based on thereceived readings and patient-specific information, using a storeddiagnostic or treatment algorithm, whether the monitored medicalcondition falls within or outside of a normal range; generating anotification to the patient indicating normal range when the receivedreadings are determined to fall within the normal range; generating anotification to the patient including instructions for self-care actionswhen the received readings are determined to fall outside of the normalrange; and generating a notification to a care provider when thereceived readings are determined to exceed pre-set thresholds or limits.15. The patient self-care method of claim 14, further comprisinggenerating a prompt to the patient to initiate a periodic reading. 16.The patient self-care method of claim 14, wherein the monitored medicalcondition comprises a cardiac condition.
 17. The patient self-caremethod of claim 16, wherein: the normal range for the monitored medicalcondition corresponds to a portion of a euvolemic range of fluid statefor the patient; and the pre-set thresholds or limits comprise at leastone of a hypovolemic warning zone at a hypovolemic end of the patienteuvolemic range and a hypervolemic warning zone at a hypervolemic end ofthe patient euvolemic range.
 18. The patient self-care method of claim17, wherein the pre-set thresholds or limits further comprise acombination of a change in patient fluid volume and position of patientfluid state within the normal range of the euvolemic range for thepatient.
 19. The patient self-care method of claim 14, wherein themeasured parameter comprises a vascular dimension and the periodicreadings include vascular dimension readings received from the implantedwireless sensor.
 20. The patient self-care method of claim 14, whereinthe measured parameter comprises blood pressure and the periodicreadings include blood pressure readings received from the wirelesssensor.
 21. The patient self-care method of claim 14, wherein themeasured parameter comprises heart electrical activity and the periodicreadings include heart electrical activity readings received from thewireless sensor.
 22. The patient self-care method of claim 14, whereinthe instructions for self-care actions comprise prompts to the patientto initiate periodic readings at an increased frequency.
 23. The patientself-care method of claim 14, wherein the instructions for self-careactions comprise instructions to alter a self-administered therapy ormedication regimen.
 24. The patient self-care method of claim 23,wherein the instructions to alter the self-administered therapy ormedication regimen are based at least in part on a position of thereceived readings within the normal range and a change in the receivedreadings.
 25. The patient self-care method of claim 14, furthercomprising configuring and transmitting the patient notifications forreceipt on a patient personal device user interface.
 26. The patientself-care method of claim 25, further comprising configuring andtransmitting the care provider notifications for receipt on a careprovider device.
 27. The patient self-care method of claim 26, whereinthe notification to the care provider comprises suggested modificationto a patient treatment, said modification based at least in part on arelationship of the received readings to the normal range for thepatient and a change in the received readings.
 28. The patient self-caremethod of claim 14, further comprising receiving the patient-specificinformation from the care provider device, wherein the patient-specificinformation comprises current patient physical parameters, past patientphysical parameters and patient medical history related to the monitoredmedical condition.
 29. The patient self-care method of claim 14, furthercomprising placing the patient-implanted wireless sensor in the patient.30. A patient self-care method, comprising: receiving periodic readingsfrom a patient monitoring system including a patient-implanted wirelesssensor indicating status of a monitored cardiac condition of thepatient, wherein the patient-implanted sensor is configured to measure aphysiological parameter associated with patient fluid volume as an inputto the periodic readings; receiving patient-specific informationcomprising current patient physical parameters, past patient physicalparameters and patient medical history related to the monitored medicalcondition; generating prompts to the patient to initiate periodicreadings; determining based on the received readings andpatient-specific information, using a stored diagnostic or treatmentalgorithm, whether patient fluid volume falls within or outside of anormal range of fluid volume for the patient, wherein the normal rangecorresponds to at least a portion of a euvolemic range of fluid statefor the patient; generating a notification to the patient indicatingnormal range when the received readings are determined to fall withinthe normal range; generating a notification to the patient includinginstructions for self-care actions when (i) the received readings falloutside of the normal range or (ii) the received readings are within thenormal range and a change in patient fluid volume exceeds a pre-setthreshold; and generating a notification to a care provider when thereceived readings are determined to exceed pre-set limits comprising oneor more of (i) a hypovolemic warning zone at a hypovolemic end of thepatient euvolemic range, (ii) a hypervolemic warning zone at ahypervolemic end of the patient euvolemic range, and (iii) a combinationof a change in patient fluid volume and position of patient fluid statewithin the normal range of the euvolemic range for the patient.